Wheeled toy



Feb. 26, 1957, 0115 2,782,556

. WHEELED TOY Filed April 28, 1955 INVENTOR. Pau/ R 01115 A TTORNEK 2,782,556 Patented Feb. 26, 1957 ice WHEELED TOY Paul R. Otis, Allegan, Mich.

Application April 28, 1955, Serial No. 504,580

Claims. (Cl. 46--104) This invention relates to a wheeled toy simulating an animal.

The main objects of the invention are:

First, to provide a wheeled toy having an animal simulating body which gives the appearance of self-propelling movement as the toy is propelled upon a surface and also simulating a juggling act.

Second, to provide a toy having these features which may be quite economically produced.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is.defined and pointed out in the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a toy embodying my invention, portions being broken away to show structural details.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view.

Fig. 3 is a bottom view.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view in section on a line corresponding to line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated, the body member or portion 1 simulates the body of a seal with a raised head 2. The body 1 and its raised head portion 2 are desirably formed integrally by molding of rubber or plastic.

The body 1 is provided with forwardly projecting arms 3. The spherical front wheel 4 is disposed between the arms and rotatably supported by the axle or journal member 5. Rearwardly spaced from the wheel 4 and preferably intermediate the ends of the body is the axle 6 rotatably mounted in the bearings 7 provided therefor. The wheels 8 are eccentrically and fixedly mounted on the axle with the eccentricity thereof in non-aligned relation. This results in a laterally rocking motion of the body and a lateral swinging of the head when the toy is propelled along a surface. The front wheel 4 being spherical does not prevent such motion.

The vertically disposed spindle 9 is rotatably mounted within the neck and head portion of the body, desirably in a slightly inclined position, as is illustrated. The bearing 10 for the upper end of the spindle is centered relative to the nose of the head and is supported adjacent its lower end in a bearing member 11 desirably formed integrally with the body member. The member 12 is mounted on the projecting upper end of the spindle. The member 12 is preferably a ball when the body member simulates a seal. The spindle 9 is provided on its lower end with a disc 13, preferably having a convex face 14 which is disposed in supported driving engagement with the spherical front wheel at the rear of the axis thereof and at one side of the central plane of the wheel transverse of its axis.

With this arrangement when the toy is propelled along a surface the body, including the head, has a sidewise swaying motion and also appears to be juggling the member 12, which is also rotating.

I have illustrated and described my invention in an embodiment in which the body member simulates a seal. I contemplate, however, using other forms of animal simulating bodies and to mount members or elements of other shapes or designs on the spindle.

I have not illustrated or described such modification as it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my invention as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what is claimed as new and is desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A toy comprising a figure simulating an animal including a substantially horizontal body portion having an upright neck and head portion, said body portion having forwardly diverging arms, a spherical front wheel journaled between said arms, an axle rotatably mounted on said body portion in rearwardly spaced relation to the front wheel and intermediate the front and rear ends of the body portion, wheels eccentrically and fixedly mounted on said axle with the eccentricity thereof in nonaligned relation, a vertically disposed slightly inclined spindle rotatably mounted within said neck and head portion to project from the top thereof, a ball mounted on the upper end of said spindle, and a convexedly faced disc on the lower end of said spindle in supported frictional driving engagement with said spherical front wheel at the rear of the axis thereof and at one side of the central plane of the wheel transverse of its axis.

2. A toy comprising a figure simulating an animal including a substantially horizontal body portion having an upright neck and head portion, a spherical front wheel, an axle rotatably mounted on said body portion in rearwardly spaced relation to the front wheel, wheels eccentrically and fixedly mounted on said axle with the eccentricity thereof in nonaligned relation, a vertically disposed spindle rotatably mounted within said neck and head portion to project from the top thereof, a member mounted on the upper end of said spindle, and a disc on the lower end of said spindle in supported frictional driving engagement with said spherical front wheel at the rear of the axis thereof and at one side of the central plane of the wheel transverse of its axis.

3. A toy comprising a body simulating an animal, a spherical front Wheel journaled at the front end of said body, an axle rotatably mounted on said body in rear- Wardly spaced relation to said front wheel, wheels eccentrically and fixedly mounted on said axle with the eccentricity thereof in nonaligned relation, a vertically disposed spindle rotatably mounted at the front of the body to project therefrom, a member mounted on the upper end of said spindle, and a disc on the lower end of said spindle disposed in frictional driving engagement with the spherical front wheel at the rear of the axis thereof.

4. A toy comprising a body, a spherical front wheel rotatably mounted at the front end of said body, an axle rotatably mounted on said body in rearwardly spaced relation to the front wheel, wheels eccentrically and fixedly mounted on said axle with the eccentricity thereof in non-aligned relation, a vertically disposed spindle rotatably mounted on said body at the front end thereof, a member mounted on the spindle above the body, and convexedly faced disc on the lower end of the spindle disposed in supported frictional driving engagement with said spherical front wheel at the rear of the axis thereof, and at one side of the central plane of the wheel transversely of its axis.

5. A toy comprising a body, a spherical front wheel rotatably mounted at the front end of said body, an axle rotatably mounted on said body in rearwardly spaced relation to the front wheel, wheels eccentrically and fixedly mounted on said axle with the eccentricity thereof in non-aligned relation, a vertically disposed spindle References Cited in the file of this patent rotatably mounted on said body at the front end thereof,

a member mounted on the spindle above the body, and UNITED STATES PATENTS a disc on the lower end of the spindle disposed in su 1,625,758 Wynn Apr. 19, 1927 ported frictional driving engagement with said spherical 5 2,389,833 wodltseh Nov. 27, 1945 front Wheel at the rear of the axis thereof. 2,404,186 Mariam July 16, 1946 

